Don't call it a tattoo gun
-Does it look like a gun to you?!?!? This is not a gun to be shot with. It's a mechanical machine that, like all or most machines, runs on electricity. Using the correct words and terms will make you sound like you know what you're talking about
What should I get?
-Seriously? Shouldn't you have thought of this before hand? Most tattoo artists are not mind readers. They will not know what you like or want unless you tell them, duh! If you don't know what you want, do not go into a tattoo parlor until you're clear about the idea. Tattoos are permanent; tattoo parlors are not like clothing stores where if you can't fit into the item or do not like the item, you can return it. I'm sure this frustrates most if not ALL tattoo artists! Tattoos are a permanent investment and they need to be thought through COMPLETELY before investing in one
Can I bring other people?
-Yes, it's exciting to get your first tattoo. Yes, it's exciting to have someone there to witness it and tell everyone you didn't chicken out. But, be respectful of the artist. It's okay to bring 1-2 people depending on how big the shop is. But do not bring your whole posse of 1,000,000 people. The shops are not usually that big, lol. But in all total seriousness, most tattoo parlors will limit you to 1 or 2 people with you when you go under the needle. Besides, if you are in an area of the shop where other artists might need to work their magic, you need to be respectful of not only your artist but other artists coming in to get additional supplies, like plastic sheathing for their tattoo machine wires, extra ink, petroleum jelly, etc. and also tattoo parlors tend to be intimate, meaning that the artist wants his/her focus on your ink and doing their job right!! Not to mention, most tattoo parlors have one or two main rooms where 3+ artists might be working their magic at the same time, causing a chuckle from people if the tattoo machines are buzzing together at the same time or other artists might need additional supplies and need to come in.
Can you make it cheaper?
-REALLY? Someone would ask this?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
-The answer to this question may as well be "GET OUT!" There is no way to make a tattoo cheaper, unless you find some numbskull in a back alley willing to give you a tattoo for $50. I guarantee if you go that route, it will not end in the tattoo of your dreams. Follow this simple rule: you get what you pay for. Tattoos are not cheap. What usually decides the end amount is size, amount of detail, sometimes location, amount of color used. Unlike teachers or bankers, who are salaried, tattoo artists earn their income from the masterpieces they create. If you ask about making it cheaper, you are cheating them out of income, money they can use to buy additional supplies, feed their families and themselves, etc. If the price is high, it is most likely because it will end up being a big tattoo and requires a lot of high artistic skill and time to turn it into a masterpiece. The other rule of thumb is good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good!
Can you give me a tattoo like so and so?
-If you're going to an artist who has some notoriety, they will give you one of their own designs. If you bring in a picture off the internet, like I did with my first one, they will make suggestions on how to make it unique, such as using your favorite color, placement, etc. They'd rather not copy another artists' work. The sad part is that in the world of tattoos, there are tattoo copycats, artists who do tattoos but also will mimick another person's tattoos. The NORMAL tattoo artists work double time-level hard to make sure their work is brag worthy and if you're dead set on getting one like your favorite celeb, at least try and put some kind of personal stamp on it.
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